Meath ministers in Europe for Paddy's Day duties

Gavan Becton

Published: Thu 15 Mar 2018, 11:43 AM

Last updated: Thu 15 Mar 2018, 11:46 AM

Minister Regina Doherty will travel to Paris this week, where she will stay from Wednesday until Friday night.
Among the items on her itinerary are an address to The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and meeting her French counterparts: the Minister for Solidarity and Health, Agnès Buzyn; and the Minister of Labour, Muriel Pénicaud.
“This series of events in France comes at a very interesting time for our two countries,” said Minister Doherty.
“Following Brexit, France will become our closest EU neighbour, so it is more important than ever that we build linkages with the French at official and business levels".
The Minister will be joined on this trip by her husband Declan, who will cover his own travel expenses.
Minister Helen McEntee will visit Slovakia and Austria this week, arriving at Bratislava on Wednesday, where she will have meetings with Irish business representatives, attend a briefing on the economic situation in Slovakia and take part in the Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe at the Economic University
In Austria she will attend a meet Austrian PM, Karin Kneissl and will attend a public debate on the 'Future of Europe' as well as attending Saturday’s parade.
Minister Damien English is in Western Poland this week where he has met companies with interests in Ireland and Irish business people in Poland.
He will present the first annual Irish-Polish Business Award to PM Group, an Irish engineering, project management and architecture firm with offices in WrocÅ‚aw and Warsaw.
The Minister will launch the first Irish-Polish Business Directory, produced by the Embassy working with Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and the Irish-Polish Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Gerry O’Connor along with colleagues, Cllrs Maria Murphy, Seán Smith and Nick Killian, the Chief Executive and another council official will attend the New York St Patrick’s Day Parade, while Cllrs Jim Holloway, Claire O’ Driscoll, Tom Kelly and one official will attend the London parade.